January 11, 2023 Amityville

Memorial

wrestler Madelyne Martinez,

first female tournament winner

school history. Photo courtesy of

Amityville Union

School District

Elderly Army Veteran Has Wish For Restaurant Gift Cards Granted

Ron Matonti, a resident of Medford, New York, had his wish for restaurant gift cards granted, thanks to the Long Island chapter of national nonprofit Twilight Wish Foundation. Matonti is an Army veteran who has congenital heart failure and is homebound. Because of this, he relies mostly on canned foods that are delivered to him from a local food pantry. His wish is to receive restaurant and food delivery gift cards so that he can order fresh food instead of just eating canned foods.

Matonti was nominated by Melanie Corinne, the project coordinator for the Joseph Dwyer Peer Support Project in Suffolk County. Long Island Chapter Director James Ciervo and Corinne delivered the gift card basket to Matonti on Friday, December 17th at his Medford home.

Twilight Wish Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization whose mission is to honor and enrich the lives of seniors through intergenerational Twilight Wish celebrations. Since its founding in 2003, Twilight Wish has granted over 4,810 individual wishes to seniors throughout the U.S. Twilight Wish grants wishes to seniors who are 65 and older or a permanent resident of a nursing home and earn less than 200% of poverty level. If you would like to nominate a deserving senior or get involved with Twilight Wish, please visit the website at www.twilightwish.org or call 215230-8777 ext. 104.

Ron Matonti with gift card basket

The 8th Annual KiDS NEED MoRE Holiday Cheer Bus Elf Ride launched on Sunday, December 18, 2022, in Amityville, NY. Over 750 volunteer elves and Santas riding on over 40 buses delivered giant bags filled with holiday wishes right to the homes of over 1,000 kids coping with life-threatening illnesses all over Long Island

and NYC.

Gifts are delivered not only to the child who is sick but to the siblings as well. The parents, guardians, and caregivers do not have to pay a penny for the holidays. This event and all the KiDS NEED MoRE camps and programs are provided free of charge thanks to wonderful folks who donate

and volunteer their time to help and the generous support of businesses who sponsor.

The KiDS NEED MoRE Holiday Cheer Bus Elf Ride began in 2015 with only two school buses and has grown to over 40 school buses coaches, shuttles, and party buses.

Along the way to

delivering to the kids, cheering elf teams compete in silly challenges to win the prestigious Holiday Cup of Cheer which is a huge trophy much like the Stanley Cup of the North Pole. Last year’s champions, The Nog Chugging Cheer Mongers have some stiff competition from some determined up-and-coming elf teams.

Will they be the first team to be repeat champions or will Sleigh All the Way, The Holiday Hustlers, or some other team take the cup? The points are still being tabulated and the winner will be announced at the Holiday Cheer Bus Awards event on Saturday, January 28th, 1-4 pm at The American Legion Post 1120 in Lindenhurst.

To sign up for services, donate, volunteer, and sponsor please visit www. kidsneedmore.org Phone: 631-608-3135 Email: info@ kidsneedmore.org Facebook @kidsneedmorecamp Twitter @kidsneedMOREorg Instagram: @kidsneedmore_ inc

Female Wrestler Makes History

Amityville Memorial High School sophomore and varsity wrestler Madelyne Martinez made history during the 2022 Frank Giampaolo Cyclone Tournament at South Side High School in Rockville Centre on Dec. 17.

A first-year member of the wrestling team, Martinez became the first female tournament winner in Amityville’s history. This was her first individual tournament, and she had only wrestled in two matches prior to this tournament. Both of her previous matches were against boys at the Doc Fallot Duals in Hampton

Bays where she came close to winning her first match. Martinez, who is the lone female on the Warriors varsity wrestling team, competed in the female division at the Cyclone Tournament. After defeating two Bay Shore wrestlers in just the third and fourth matches of her career, she came away with the gold medal for her bracket. In her first match of the day, she pinned Bay Shore wrestler Ashley Vasquez Mala in three minutes 13 seconds. She added another pin to defeat Ryan Stuck, of Bay Shore, in 53 seconds to secure first place in her bracket.

“Maddy has a great personality, she always brings great energy in practice, she really challenges our guys and is literally like a sponge,” said Warriors varsity wrestling head coach Jamal Jackson. “It’s such a pleasure having her on our team, and we are expecting great things from her in the future, both on and off the mat.”

The Amityville School District congratulates Martinez not just for this victory, but for her dedication to learning the sport, her hard work at practice every day, and her tenacious attitude.

FEMALE WRESTLER MAKES HISTORY - Amityville Memorial High School sophomore and varsity wrestler Madelyne Martinez, center, became the first female tournament winner in school history on Dec. 17. Photo courtesy of the Amityville Union Free School District

SUCCESS AT THE 2022 FRANK GIAMPAOLO CYCLONE TOURNAMENT - Amityville Memorial High School senior Curtis Levy, center, also had success at the 2022 Frank Giampaolo Cyclone Tournament as he claimed gold in the 132-lb. weight class. Freshman Cristian Maldonado, right, defeated the fourth and fifth seed wrestlers to earn fourth place in a tough 118-lb. weight class. Photo courtesy of the Amityville Union Free School District

Hundreds Of Food Items Donated During 2022 Holiday Drive-Thru Experience

Councilman and Human Services Chairman DuWayne Gregory extends a heartfelt thank you to all of the community members who donated non-perishable food items while visiting Town Hall during the 2022 Holiday Drive-Thru Experience.

Over the course of the three night event, the park’s department

collected hundreds of items that were transported directly to the food pantry.

“The generosity of the people of Babylon is always strong, but especially during the holiday season,” said Councilman Gregory.

“On behalf of myself, my colleagues on the Town Board and our staff, thank you to everyone who helped keep our pantry stocked so

we can assist those in need throughout the holidays,” he added.

The Town of Babylon Food Pantry accepts donations year round and is located at 1 Commerce Boulevard in Amityville. Most needed items include: peanut butter, jelly, tuna, canned vegetables, soup, pasta, sauce rice and beans.

HUNDREDS OF FOOD ITEMS

Toys For Tots Program

DONATED - Councilman and Human Services Chairman DuWayne Gregory extends a heartfelt thank you to all of the community members who donated non-perishable food items while visiting Town Hall during the 2022 Holiday Drive-Thru Experience. Pictured: Councilman DuWayne Gregory with Parks Commissioner Daniel McKeon, Deputy Parks Commissioner Eva Rodriguez-Greguski, Human Services Commissioner Traci Fonville, and staff members from the parks department.

- The Town of Babylon would like to thank everyone who donated to this year’s Toys for Tots program! Councilman Terence McSweeney recently joined with Councilman DuWayne Gregory, Town Clerk Gerry Compitello, Receiver of Taxes Jennifer Montiglio, and Town of Babylon staff members to get a batch of toys ready to be handed off to the U.S. Marine Corps, who provided the items to those in need. Your generous contributions helped brighten up the holiday season for so many children.

Helping You Help Others

By Noelle Lambert

The Charity of the Month for January is Pal-O-Mine Equestrian

Pal-O-Mine Equestrian is a local non-profit organization that began in 1995 as a therapeutic horseback riding program for individuals with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. They grew from having two programs, eight horses and 80 students per week to 11 programs, 25 horses and 400 students per week - and they continue to grow today! “Our mission has been, and continues to be, to provide a comprehensive therapeutic equine program using horses to facilitate growth, learning and healing,” said Lisa Gatti, Founder and CEO of Pal-O-Mine Equestrian. “We proudly serve individuals with disabilities, those who have been abused or neglected, the military and the impoverished.”

Their location in Islandia offers an unequaled setting for equestrian activities, with a 20-stall barn on 13 acres, handicapped accessible bathrooms, a 100’ x 120’ indoor arena with state-of-the-art-footing and a rider hoisting system, 3 outdoor riding arenas, classrooms, accessible playground, a greenhouse and a wellness center.

Looking back on 2022, Pal-O-Mine logged 4,250 hours of Volunteer Hours and 86,400 Client Contact Hours. “2022 was about inspiring one another to reach common goals and emerging stronger,” said Lisa. “Our volunteers are an integral part of the day to day

operations at Pal-O-Mine. We all work together to serve our clients the best we can.”

They also aded four new animals to their gang; three horses and a Great Pyrenees Mountain Dog, Luca who is a natural at his job of watching over the herd. Bubba, one of the horses was generously donated to them by the Morris Family. He is an amazing lesson horse and is a client favorite in their equine yoga program. Another one of the horses is Alana, a pro at teaching new students to ride independently. Lastly, Sunflower is their newest horse, which is enjoying to learn about all the different programs held at Pal-O-Mine.

“2023 will be a year of physical growth with our new educational center and treatment clinic, as well as spiritual growth by continuing to serve the many who need our 13 acre farm and herd to help them heal from trauma, grow in personal strength and learn new things to brighten their future.”

If you would like more information about getting involved with this

please call 631-348-1389 or visit www.pal-o-mine.org.

Bank Of America Donates $50K

To Island Harvest, LI Cares Through Booster And Flu Shot Initiative

Working Daughters

(NAPSI)—Approximately 23 million women balance caring for an aging parent with going to work and, often, raising children of their own, When businesses support these working daughters, it’s good for them, their parents and the companies themselves. Learn more at www. workingdaughter.com.

Island Harvest Food Bank and Long Island Cares-The Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank received a $50,000 donation from Bank of America to help address food insecurity on Long Island. This donation represents the second phase of the employee booster campaign launched earlier this year, which provided $75,000 to Island Harvest and Long Island Cares.

The donation is part of a unique program to encourage bank employees to receive an annual flu shot and/or coronavirus vaccine or booster, while also investing in the community. Bank of America donated $50 per shot to the organizations for each employee on Long Island who received a coronavirus vaccine, booster shot and/or flu shot before November 23.

“The economic fallout from the coronavirus has significantly increased demand for services from Island Harvest and Long Island Cares,” said Marc Perez, President, Bank of America Long Island. “Despite the difficulties of recent years, these organizations have remained steadfast in their work to address food insecurity. Likewise, Bank of America continues to be deeply committed to

supporting hunger relief efforts on Long Island.”

An estimated 230,000 people on Long Island face food insecurity. Since the onset of the pandemic, Bank of America has provided $575,000 to Island Harvest and Long Island Cares to

support local hunger-relief efforts. Bank of America has committed nearly $19 million to local hunger relief organizations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico through its two employee booster campaigns.

DIORAMAS - Second graders at Northwest Elementary School in Amityville recently studied

communities, students created dioramas

community they chose to build. Students proudly

display

throughout the school. Photo courtesy of the Amityville Union Free School District

Small business owners no doubt recognize the value of repeat customers, but few may recognize just how valuable such customers

The Value Of Repeat Customers

can be to their bottom lines. A study from researchers at Harvard Business School found that a customer’s eighth purchase was an average

of 80 percent higher than his or her first purchase. In addition, a survey from the strategic planning, marketing and sales consultants

Altfeld, Inc. found that the probability of selling to an existing customer is between 60 and 70 percent, while that probability shrinks to as

low as 5 percent for new customers. Customer retention strategies like offering superior customer service and seeking input from

customers can help small businesses generate more repeat customers, which can greatly improve their chances for long-term success.

Catholic School

Seaford, NY

Mass Attendance and Daily Prayer

Mass Attendance and Daily Prayer

Formal STREAM Instruction in our newly renovated, state of the art Makerspace

Formal STREAM Instruction in our newly renovated, state of the art Makerspace

Living Environment and Algebra Regents

Living Environment and Algebra Regents

National Junior Honor Society and Student Council

National Junior Honor Society and Student Council

Middle School Sports including Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, Cross Country, Bowling, Cheer, Softball, and Baseball

Middle School Sports including Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, Cross Country, Bowling, Cheer, Softball, and Baseball

Extended Care Program to assist Working Parents (Grades N-8)

Extended Care Program to assist Working Parents (Grades N-8)

Spanish Grades K-8 Choir, Art, and Music Band Grades 1-8 Drama Club

Spanish Grades K-8 Choir, Art, and Music Band Grades 1-8 Drama Club

After School Enrichment Clubs Grades K-8 Field Trips in support of Curriculum

After School Enrichment Clubs Grades K-8 Field Trips in support of Curriculum

"Sending our daughter to St. William's is a decision my husband and I can feel good about every day. We know that from the moment we drop her off to the moment she comes back home, she is loved, safe, supported, and challenged. We have been welcomed with open arms into a community that shares our values. We know that sending our daughter to SWS will set her up for success – academically, socially, and spiritually- for the rest of her life. It’s the best gift we can give her."

"Sending our daughter to St. William's is a decision my husband and I can feel good about every day. We know that from the moment we drop her off to the moment she comes back home, she is loved, safe, supported, and challenged. We have been welcomed with open arms into a community that shares our values. We know that sending our daughter to SWS will set her up for success – academically, socially, and spiritually- for the rest of her life. It’s the best gift we can give her."

~ The DeBardelaben Family

~ The DeBardelaben Family